XMPie, a Xerox Company

Open the Mail and Say Ahh There can be such a thing as getting too personal. Tailoring the content of a printed piece to the individual recipient has been seen as a positive, but the risk of a backlash grows as people find more of their lives becoming an open book. Privacy can also become an issue in another way with variable data communications. If sensitive information is included in a database provided to a print provider, that data must be secured, and care used, when incorporating it into the printed piece. The March edition of Printing Impressions included a story on database management

FROM THE workflow and business standpoints, there’s becoming less of a need to make a distinction between digital and offset printing. New tools are bringing together the formally divided file processing paths, and digital devices are becoming standard equipment for more offset shops. With concerns about quality largely assuaged, it’s all becoming just printing under one service umbrella. The one exception is variable data printing, which remains somewhat of a special case from a production standpoint due to the processing required to integrate content from databases. The market that Western Graphics, St. Paul, MN, is targeting with all of its services (digital or offset)

IN JANUARY, I had the opportunity to attend the first annual conference for the new XMPie Users Group. It had an amazing attendance of 160 people from 90 companies, plus XMPie and sponsor attendees. This great turnout is a reflection of the coming of age of variable data printing, and attendees were anxious to learn more about how they could leverage this technology to differentiate and grow their businesses. The conference had both marketing and technical tracks, with about 60 percent of attendees choosing to focus on the technical side. An interesting trend came out of the general sessions and marketing track that I wanted

Imitation Breeds Success Variable data has won many converts in the design and marketing communities, but the selling cycle for prospects typically still involves an education process. The easiest way to sell this marketing approach is to show a potential user how a competitor is exploiting the technique to its advantage. If there is a prospect for which variable data should be a “no brainer” it is the company that sells through a decentralized network of sales reps, dealers or agents who will benefit from being able to order smaller quantities of marketing materials that they can customize and personalize for their prospects. Even

PORTLAND—January 29, 2007—Wright Imaging Solutions in affiliation with Wright Business Forms, Inc. (d.b.a. Wright Business Graphics) today announced the completion of the purchase of American Imaging Solutions. The acquisition creates one of the Northwest’s largest and most robust statement processing and print-on-demand centers exclusively serving the distributor community. “This new enterprise takes Wright Imaging Solutions [www.wbgppm.com] well beyond our traditional roots in statement processing and aligns us with the rapidly expanding direct mail industry”, said Daniel Adkison, President & COO of the combined companies. “Our west coast distributor partners now have access to a full complement of cutting edge print-on-demand

NEW YORK CITY—NOVEMBER 29, 2006—The XMPie Users Group (www.xmpieusers.org) will kick off the new year with the inaugural XMPie Users’ Group Annual Conference in Las Vegas, NV beginning January 19 at the Westin Casuarina Las Vegas Hotel, Casino and Spa. The one-and-a-half-day event incorporates a comprehensive program of activities and open discussion forums encompassing both a technology oriented curriculum and a marketing and business development track. Designed as an interactive forum, XMPie staff and XMPie users will be discussing the latest variable data publishing technology, trends, and best practices. Jacob Aizikowitz, President of XMPie and Users’ Group board member stated, “The

Ginsberg Joins Graphic Press LOS ANGELES—Graphic Press has restructured its executive group, naming Randolph Ginsberg its president and Michael Hecht to the post of executive vice president, sales. Ginsberg formerly served as vice president of sales at Hawthorne, CA-based Lithographix. Hecht also spent time at Lithographix as executive vice president of sales. Xerox to Obtain XMPie STAMFORD, CT—With an eye towards growth in personalized printing and multimedia direct marketing, Xerox Corp. has agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. New York-based XMPie specializes in variable information software. XMPie will maintain its brand name and function as a standalone software unit. Innovator Gegenheimer Passes SHELTON, CT—Harold Gegenheimer, 95, chairman

IT MAY be telling that, with a few exceptions, the presses in operation around the show floor of Graph Expo and Converting Expo 2006 were of the digital variety. Offset units were conspicuous in their absence. Digital presses largely have become part of the commercial printing mainstream, rather than being a specialty product segment or market niche. The exhibition’s Wide Format Pavilion showed ongoing interest in that segment, but adding a wide, large, superwide or grand format digital system still is seen as a way to diversify rather than being standard equipment. Hewlett-Packard shared results from an InfoTrends study that surveyed a sampling

STAMFORD, CT—With an eye towards growth in personalized printing and multimedia direct marketing, Xerox Corp. has agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. New York-based XMPie specializes in variable information software that allows graphic designers, marketing companies and print providers to create marketing pieces customized with an individual’s name, along with information and images based on buying preferences and personal interests. In addition to creating targeted print communications, such as brochures, direct mailers and catalogs, its software can automatically generate related e-mail messages that drive recipients to Web pages filled with information tailored to the individual. XMPie reportedly will maintain its brand name and function as

STAMFORD, CT—Oct. 3, 2006—Building on the growth of personalized printing and multimedia direct marketing, Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) has agreed to acquire XMPie for $54 million. A privately held company, XMPie is a leading provider of variable information software, which enables cross-media, personalized marketing programs. These programs combine communication outlets such as digitally printed direct mail, the Web, e-mail and other methods to reach customers with customized marketing materials that are relevant to the individual recipient and generate higher response rates. Based in New York, XMPie specializes in software that allows graphic designers, marketing companies and print providers to create marketing pieces with an